Modification of domestic armored trains from the Russian Empire

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

The history of domestic armored trains began in the Russian Empire and ended in the Soviet Union. Despite the fact that this type of unusual weapon was used for an extremely short time (compared to other types of weapons), the armored trains have a very rich history. Let's look under the armor of one of these stalwarts.

Arrangement of armored trains

In the vast majority of cases, the armored train was arranged quite simply. This applies not only to domestic samples, but also to those trains that were used at the same time in European countries. Most often, the armored train consisted of a thoroughly armored, well-protected steam locomotive, which pulled several (usually two or three) armored platforms, several air defense sites, as well as about four control platforms.

At the heart of each armored train was a modification of some standard train. Most of the samples, despite the armor, could carry up to 700 tons of cargo. The degree of protection of the locomotive and platforms varied in significance from the model and the importance of the location. Most often, steel armor was used with a thickness of 10-20 mm. An interesting feature of such trains was that the locomotive was always placed in the center between the protective platforms.

In addition to a steel shield, armored platforms had two rotating turrets with artillery pieces. Most often these were 76mm or 107mm cannons. They were reinforced with several machine guns. The ammunition load of the light platform of the Soviet armored train had 560 artillery rounds and about 28.5 thousand machine-gun rounds. It was very comfortable inside the armored platforms (by army standards). It had steam heating, radio communications and electric lighting.

Another important feature of Soviet trains was the ability to transfer them to railway tracks with a gauge of 1435 mm (in other words, they were adapted for operations on European tracks).

The warhead of the armored train was supplemented by the so-called "base". It consisted of 6-20 ordinary cars, some of which were assigned for the economic needs of the armored train itself and its crew. When the train entered the battle, the service cars were uncoupled and left in the rear. We tried to leave them on the nearest stretch. The "base" also included a staff car. There were wagons for storing ammunition, a wagon for storing material and technical equipment, a wagon-kitchen, a workshop. There could even be a club car.

Tasks of armored trains

At the time of the outbreak of World War II, the Red Army had 53 combat-ready armored trains. Another 23 ready-made trains were at the disposal of the NKVD. According to archival data, over the five years of the war, the losses of armored trains of the USSR amounted to 65 trains, excluding the losses of the NKVD trains.

The teams had very different tasks. Most often they were used to transport extra-important cargo, as well as fire support for ground units operating in the immediate vicinity of the railway. Also, the convoys delivered troops to the zones of confrontation with the enemy and even made sabotage trips. The latter was most often dealt with by the NKVD trains.

Finally, armored trains took part in the defense of Soviet railway stations. An especially large contribution to this matter was made by anti-aircraft armored trains, with a large number of anti-aircraft platforms.